Three Baxter County sheriff have died in the line of duty — A.G. Byler (from left), Eugene Moody and Emmett Edmonds. / Courtesy of Baxter County Historical & Genealo

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From Baxter County Historical

& Genealogical Society

Since the time that the county was created, Baxter County has had 23 sheriffs. Of these 23 men, only four have died while in office. Of the four, three were killed in the line of duty.

The first sheriff killed in action was the very first sheriff of Baxter County, A.G. Byler. He served from 1873 to 1882, was elected to serve three terms as state representative, and then was re-elected sheriff in 1890. Sheriff Byler was killed on duty June 15, 1892, by Jesse Roper. Roper was a spirited and cocky 23-year-old man. On the afternoon of June 15, Roper and several others illegally had been shooting pistols when Deputy Sheriff Tom Combs caught them. As Combs attempted to place Roper under arrest, Roper pulled out a pistol on the deputy, and left Combs fleeing to find Sheriff Byler.